updated 06:20 pm EDT, Wed May 26, 2010

Microsoft's Natal may be expensive as stand-alone

Microsoft's Project Natal could be an expensive peripheral if a rumor from a "trusted" insider is true. The device could cost as much as $149 by itself and might make the most sense only as part of an Xbox 360 bundle, where it would cost $299 for an Arcade console with the motion controller. The Edge source added that it was targeted for an October 26th launch, consistent with earlier rumors, but that it could move weeks forward or back depending on conditions.

Not much else is known, but Project Natal will no longer be the official name. Microsoft is certain to market the device heavily and may anticipate "millions and millions" of units of the add-on shipping in just the first year.

The price, if it comes to pass, would be almost twice as expensive as the rumored $80 from late last year. No one had confirmed the target in the past, but it's suspected that Microsoft had been trying to keep the price as low as possible to reach as broad an audience as possible and fend off Sony. At $150, that may not be possible as the equivalent PlayStation Move bundle should cost less than $100, albeit without the same hands-free control.

Natal's official unveiling is slated for E3, where many if not all of the details of the final version should be made public.